History of the Ayers Island Ospreys

In the spring of 2004, two juvenile ospreys arrived at Public Service of New Hampshire’s (PSNH) hydroelectric station at Ayers Island in New Hampton, NH. A tall structure overlooking the hydro plant and the Pemigewasset River provided an attractive site for their nest; however, it also served as an anchor for a cable car used to do repair work on the dam.

Recognizing that it would be best for the ospreys to find a more permanent, out-of-the-way location for the nest, PSNH employees waited until the birds had flown south for the winter. Then, in October, 2004, representatives from PSNH, the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department transferred the nest to a de-energized pole 50 feet away.

Apparently, the ospreys didn’t mind the change in address! The next spring, the pair returned and successfully produced two chicks, and ospreys have been returning to the nest ever since.

Working in partnership with the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, PSNH installed the OspreyCam at the Ayers Island nest in 2006 to help educate people about these magnificent birds of prey, and to share an incredible bird-watching experience with viewers throughout the state and around the world. The camera provides live, streaming video of the nest through the Ospreys Online website.